The College Essay Formula Has Expired
We can do better than a humble brag
As we approach the end of 2022, I’ve asked a few people whose words and wisdom I deeply respect to share what’s been on their minds. Here is the poet, educator and hip hop artist Paul Barman with some thoughts about his year’s biggest challenge: helping a son apply to college.
December 2022. college application deadlines. The end of the year. And with AI, the end of any need for human beings to engage with formulaic essays. Once again, the purpose of education comes into grave question. Why should we be trained to produce in similar paradigms? How can we facilitate unique expression? When will sparkling morning dew eclipse the newest bright and shiny cyborg? As today’s American high school seniors upload one last essay, contact one last essay consultant, and have one more argument with their parents, I see a future where college interviews are no longer optional, society sees measurable value in analytic education, and debt is canceled. Imagine if the white hot resources applied to application hysteria were rerouted in service of the planet.
I reject the premise that my college essay should highlight what makes me different.
It should be self-evident by now that our similarities unite us.
